October 2019 was exceptionally cold in the Northern Rockies of both US and Canada. There were several small storms in northern regions and particularly in Colorado. The first half of November has been bone dry in the western US, with no area receiving more than 3 inches snow and most getting zero. While western weather is becoming more unsettled, nothing major is forecast soon, so it's advisable to hold off on early season commitments.
California: There has been no natural snow. Mt. Rose opened its beginner lift weekends starting Oct. 25. Mammoth
opened Nov. 9. Mammoth and Squaw/Alpine are 1% open as snowmaking progress has been stalled by warm weather. While the
Sierra can open rapidly on a big dump, the current situation calls for avoiding advance commitments before January.
Pacific Northwest: In October Hood Meadows had 31 inches snow and Mt. Bachelor had 13 inches but there is no base
left in Oregon or Washington after no snow so far in November. Even Whistler has had only 2 inches in November and has a
4 inch base from October.
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was widespread in this region but November snowfall has been significant
only well north of the US border. October + November snowfall and base depths: Big White (19+6 inches, 6 inches), Fernie (33+2, 8),
Castle Mt. (82 mostly at the end of September +2, 17), Kicking Horse (44+14, 24), Revelstoke (47+16, 29). Lake Louise (23+18, 24)
opened a week early on November 1, and is now 34% open, most in North America. Sunshine (24+18, 22) is 15% open.
U. S. Northern Rockies: Grand Targhee had 40 inches October snowfall and has a 26 inch base. Others: Mid-mountain Jackson Hole (26, 11),
Brundage (19, 4). Base depths are 2-20 inches at Whitefish. There has been no November snowfall yet so base depths have declined.
Utah: The October cold reached as far south as Utah, setting records near the end of the month. The Snowbird SNOTEL has an 11 inch base
on about 42 inches October snowfall. Others: Alta (40, 15), Brighton (33/13), Snowbasin (20/8). There has been no November snowfall yet
so base depths have declined.
Northern and Central Colorado: Early openings on snowmaking were A-Basin Oct. 11 (now 9% open), Keystone Oct. 12 (7% open) and Loveland
Oct. 25 (now 6% open). October natural snowfalls were 48 inches at Breckenridge (now 11% open), 36 at Copper (now 6% open), 44 at Keystone,
40 at Loveland, 63 at Steamboat (now 2% open), and 41 at Winter Park (now 5% open). The only reported November snowfalls are 1 inch at
Loveland, 2 at Breckenridge and 3 at Winter Park. The first half of November has offset October, so this region can be considered
average now.
Southern and Western Colorado: The Rocky Mountain Biological Lab at Gothic (between Crested Butte and Aspen)
had 20 inches October snowfall but has no base after no snow so far in November. Wolf Creek had 22 inches October snowfall (now 11% open)
and Monarch 38 inches (now 20% open), so both opened by Nov. 1. There has been no November snow but some is predicted next week.
Northeast: October snowfall totals: Jay 3 inches, Killington 4, Sugarbush 2, Whiteface 12. The first openings were
Killington Nov. 3, Mt. St. Sauveur Nov. 8 and Sunday River Nov. 9. November weather has been favorably cold with these snow totals:
Jay 34 inches, Sugarbush 15, Killington 12 (now 14% open), Whiteface 9 (3% open), Cannon 11, Le Massif 31, Mt. Snow 4 (18% open).
Sunday River is 6% open and Sugarloaf 4%. Bretton Woods, Loon and Wildcat are also open.
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